Sgt. Major Kim Williams, who teaches in the Mariner High School Leadership Academy, was recently named the 2022 U.S. Army Cadet Command JROTC Army Instructor of the Year. PHOTOS PROVIDED

After a career of putting others in the spotlight before a journey of molding future generations, a local JROTC instructor has been recognized for her accomplishments.

Sgt. Major Kim Williams, who teaches in the Mariner High School Leadership Academy, was recently named the 2022 U.S. Army Cadet Command JROTC Army Instructor of the Year.

“My entire Army career was focused on putting the media spotlight on others, so it was quite a shock when I received the announcement that I was selected as the Cadet Command JROTC Army Instructor of the Year,” Williams said. “I am blessed to work at a school with such a supportive principal, Dr. Michel, administrative team and JROTC department who believe in what I do and who took the time to put together the nomination packet. Teaching our young people takes a village, and we truly have an amazing village at Mariner High School. I have never liked having attention focused on me, but I am truly, deeply humbled and honored to be selected as Instructor of the Year.”

The United States Army Cadet Command selection criteria for Instructor of the Year includes effectiveness in the classroom and community, examples of dedication to the profession of teaching, how the nominee compares to the school’s top classroom instructor, in what other activities is the nominee involved, and the instructors’ impact on the school’s JROTC enrollment and achievements of the cadets involved in the program. She received the honor in front of hundreds of peers at a conference on July 25.

“I feel honored and it means a lot to me (that the school supported) me, and it means a lot when you work for people who believe in you,” Williams added.

Sgt. Major Kim Williams award.

Williams served in an active-duty role in the Army from 1992 to 2014 in the career field of Public Affairs. She worked as a journalist, newspaper editor, and community and media relations supervisor. Her deployments include Somalia and Afghanistan, where she received a Bronze Star Medal.

After retiring from the Army, Williams joined the teaching staff at Mariner High School in 2014. She primarily teaches freshman in the Leadership Academy to help them transition into high school. Classes focus on topics like self-esteem, confidence, leadership and citizenship. She is also a coach after school for the Academic/Leadership Team, Drill Team and Raider Team, all of which have competed at District, State and National levels.

“I’ve had some really good mentors since I’ve been here,” Williams said. “I was blessed to fall into Mariner. I didn’t know anything about the county and got hired here. There’s such an emphasis on teaching at Mariner — you’re not just a JROTC vocational — you teach. I love that. I love that we’re held to the same standards as all of the other teachers. That really pushed me to get where I am now.”

Williams retired out of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa and is a Wisconsin native. She said her love of teaching is what made her want to get into JROTC. Williams taught in the Army at a school called Advanced Individual Training, instructing the basic journalism and advanced editors courses in public affairs. Williams has a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication – Public Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and a Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Oklahoma.

“I loved it. I knew that I loved teaching,” Williams said. “When I found out about JROTC it just all fell into place. I’ve always wanted to teach. I found something where I could bring education and experience and bring value.”

She said the most rewarding parts of being a JROTC instructor are the “little moments.”

“It’s making connections with kids,” Williams said. “My favorite is when you have a kid who has struggled and has been in trouble and doesn’t think they fit or have ever had teachers that like them, and building that relationship and making them see positive. It’s those little ‘ah-ha’ moments where you make a connection.”

Williams again lauded the support of the Mariner administration and her peers. And they seem to feel the same about her.

“SGM Williams is the ideal role model to be selected JROTC Army Instructor of the Year,” said Mariner High School’s Senior Army Instructor Maj. Bryan Williams. “She is a distinguished teacher, a national champion coach, a role model citizen and a game changing mentor to both fellow instructors and Cadets.”

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